Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-06-24


small umbrella, was holding his large
one over me. He opened gate to the
right that led into q field.
But this is the wrong way. I have
to turn to the left, know" said l.
There is y shed for carts here where
We shall get shelter" said he.
And in . few minutes we reached it.
and found myself under low roof.
watching the downpOur outside. A
few days before l might have found
something to enjoy in this curious en-
counter with my friend of the dog-cart;
but the rudeness and suspicion Of his
sisters had made me shy with him. So
1 merely sat there and looked straight
in front of me. while he, infected by
my reserve, leaned against the side Of
the shed and looked at me.
II wish it would leave off," re-
marked. stupidity, at length.
"Are you in such hurry to get back
to the Alders' 1t is no dryer than it
is here"
But at least one can change ones
boots"
Have you got your feet wet? You
will be laid up with rheumatic fever, or
something of the kind" said he, anx-
iously.
"Oh. no, no." said l. 1T isn't that
But Mr.. Rayner will be anxious"
''Mr. Rayner; and Mrs. Rayner.
won't she be anxious, tOo?"
'Oh, Mrs. Rayner is never anything!
At least-I mean," said l. "she is 80
roeorvod that-r
THAT you like Mr.. Rayner best?"
''Oh. yes!"
$50 do most ladies, 1 believe"
Zone can't help liking q person who
talks and laughs, and is bright and
kind, better than one who never speaks,
and glides about like . ghost, and
looks coldly at you if You speak to
her."
Perhaps she means to be kind"
said he, gently.
Then she ought to make her mean.
ing palmer. She can't think it i kind
to FIX her eyes upon me - II wert
something not human. If I laugh; r
give me her hand SO coldly and unre
sponsively that it seems like . dead
hand in mine, and At other times r
take no more notice of me than il
were not there. Besides, she know,
that it is the first time l have ever lef,
home, and she must see sometimes tina,
I am not happy"
Then / remembered that I had nc
right to make this confession to . com
parative stranger, and added. quickly
II ought not to talk Is if / were ill
treated. am not 1T all. If she woulG
only not be quite 20 cold!
Perhaps her own troubles are yer,
heavy and hard to bear"
"Oh, no. they are notr I replied
+confidently. AT least, she has : kline
husband and pretty home, aud every
thing she can wish for And Lthink i
is very. selfish of her to give herself NJ
10 broodinG. over. the memory of he
dead child. instead of trying TO pleas
her living husband"
"Her dead childr'
"Yes. She had boy who died SOM
years ago, and she has never got owe
it. That is why she is so reserved"
"Oh! How long ago did this DO,
die?" asked he. in curiously incred
ulous tone.
about five years ago, 1 think Mr.
Rayner said"
..Oh, then it was Mr.. Rayner VIII
told you?''
| Yes"
"And Mrs. Rayner has never got owe
it?''
| mo. 1t seems difficult to believe
doesn't it, that brilliant woman VIII,
wrote books and was much admire,
should fade like that into q kind o
shadowp'
"Oh, she wrote books! Did she tel
You so herself1''
''No-Mr. Rayner."
'Oh! Did Mr.. Rayner tell you an,
moreP'
The irony in his tone was now 80 an
mistakable that hesitated and locke,
up at him inquiringly.
II am sure he must have told yov
that he is q very ill-used man and
very long-suffering husband, and aske'
you to pity. him. Didn't he, Nil
J Christie? An, see he didr' he cried
/! l could feel the blood rushing to M
cheeks; but l was indignant At havinI
; TO submit to this cstechism.
Mr.. Rayner never asks impertineI
questions" I said, severely. gr
The young man drew back and mn
tered: II beg your pardon" Iws
! sorry directly; but my dignity forbad
snub. Yet was dying to know Il
reason of his violent prejudice again
Mr.. Rayner. To my relief. in . fe
minutes he came back to me of his ow
accord. m
, Mi~ Christie he began, nervou
~, II am afraid I have offended 70,
Won't you forgive me for being carrie
i little too far by my interest in . lad
who herself confessed that she is ava
. from her friends for the first time an
not-very happy"
, ! could not resist such an appeal;
.. looked up smiling:
II "Oh. / am not at all offended! B,
l should like to know what reason 70
,, have for thinking SO i'll of Mr.. Ra,
ner. Perhaps am wrong" he sail
at is not his fault that, with all b
!, cleverness, his ease of manner is NJ
!. quite the ease Of gentleman"
considered for . moment and the
said, timidly: won't you tell n
! anything more? / am alone in IL
. world and need all the knowledge ca
get of the people l live among to guit
me in my conduct"
He seemed 70 debate within himse
tor . moment, and then drawing ne,
said, very earnestly:
seriously. then, Miss Christie,
would advise you to leave the Aide
rs soon as you possibly can, even b
fore you have got another engagement
louare in the midst Of more DANCE
than You can possibly know of. mo-
probably than l know of myself, mo-
certainly than can warn you against.
His voice was very low as he finishes
ana while we both remained silent,
.. dark figure suddenly appeared befo
! US, blocking out the light. 1t was NJ
Rayner. Mr.. Reade and starts
.. guilty. The newcomer had a
preached SO quietly that we had n
| hoard him. hoA ho ord MOP